Article marking mechanism



July 1, 1952 F. HUNTAR ET AL ARTICLE MARKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l j; INVENTOR. BY W 4% 2 .11%

ATTOE/VE S y 1, 1952 F. HUNTAR ET AL 2,601,826

ARTICLE MARKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1949 5 Sheets$neet 2 July 1, 1952 F. HUNTAR ETAL 2,601,826

ARTICLE MARKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS 6 J y 1, 1952 F. HUNTAR ETAL 2,601,326

ARTICLE MARKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 4; if 77 Z INVENTORS 11L /%Z m CAM z) ATTORNEYS July 1, 1952 F. HUNTAR ET AL ARTICLE MARKING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 21, 1949 I 1 INVENTORS lii 5 Patented July 1, 1952 ARTICLE MARKING MECHANISM Felix Huntar, Livingston, and Gustav Otto Frey;

Newark. N; J assignors toAmerican Can Com pany, New York, N. Y., a corporation of ,New.

Jersey Application December 21, 1949, Serial No.134,281

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates. to a mechanism: for marking articles such as containers with'an identifying legend, symbol or markand has particular reference to a marking device havingarocker-motion.-

An object of the invention. is the provision of a marking mechanism which 1 is particularly adapted'for use in marking hollow fragile articles andwhichrequires no backing uppressure means against the marking die, other than. the article support.

Another object is .theprovision ofsuch a mark-. ing mechanism wherein the marking device is actuated with a rocking motionsothat the articles to' be marked rmay be. operated upon while they are -at'rest-orheldistationary at a marking station of the mechanism.

Another object is the provision of such a-marking mech'anismwherein the articles tobemarked may be passed through the mechanism in a continuous procession, each article stopping only momentarily at a marking station for the marking operation; so that the mechanism. as a unit may be readily utilized asa part of amore elaborate machine'for performing other-operations upon thearticles:

Numerous other objectsandadvantages of the invention will be apparent as "it is better understood Y from the following description; which, taken in 1 connection withthe accompanyingdrawings,- discloses a: preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure-1 is a plan view:of a marking mechanism embodying the instant invention; with parts broken away and parts shown in section;

Fig;- 2 is a-top plan viewof an article showing an identifying mark as -applied in the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3'is a sectional View taken substantially along the broken line l-3 in Fig, 1; with parts broken'away;

Fig. 4:-is an enlargedsrside view ofthe marking .parts of themeoham'sm shownin Fig. 1; with parts broken'away, andwiththe upper end of an article in marking position;

Fig. .5. is a-sectional viewtaken. substantially along;;the;broken-:line 5-5 irrliligr .4, with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal;section,taken substantially along the broken line 6-7-6111 Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is :an, enlarged transverse section taken substantially along. the-.line 1-4 in Fig. 6,. with parts broken away;

Fig. .8 is a fragmentary view similar. to Fig. 4;

and showing the moving parts in a-;dife1 *er 1t p0 sition;

Fig. 9 is anyenlarged sectional View taken substantially along the line 99 in Fi .4;

Fig. 10'is a greatly enlarged sectional view.

taken substantially along the line,l0--l9 .in Fig.

6, with parts broken: away; and

Fig. 11 is a: greatly enlarged schematic sectional view taken substantially along the broken line I I-l I. in Fig. '7, with parts omitted and parts broken away.

As a preferred, and. exemplary embodiment of the instant invention the. drawings-illustrate a marking mechanism for printing a permanent,-

legible identifying mark, for example :the. mark A Saturday (Fig. 2)-on aniarticle B to be marked. Byway of example, the drawings showthe article to be marked as a parafiin coated fibre milk container of the characterdisclosed in.

United States Patent 2,085,979 issued July 6,1937, to John M.: Hothersall: although. the invention is equally well adapted to marking agreat variety of other articles The mark A imprinted on the container is shown as a day of the calendar week and preferably is applied to a sealing-orclosure element C on the top of the container.

In the preferred showing of the mechanism the containers are fedin a continuous procession in upright position with their tops uppermost and are advanced intermittently into amarking station D (Fig. 1); The advancement of the containers is effected bya' starwheel or turret-2d (Figs. 1 and 3) having a-pair of spaced and parallel turret disks 2| mounted on the upper end'of an intermittently rotatable sh'aft 22 carried in a bearing 23 formed in a-frame -24 which may be the main frame of afilling or other--machine which performsa previous operation upon; the container. The shaft 22 may be rotatedin any suitablemannen The outer peripheries-of-the turret-;disks are formed with vertically aligned pockets 26 for receiving andadvancing the containers. The containers are introducedinto-these pockets in any suitable -manner.,, While 'ingthe pockets, the

containers are supported on a curvedgtable .21 secured to the frame 24; The table is formed with inner and outer guide 1edges,28.' Curved inner and outer guide rails 29,;30 disposedadjacent the path of travelof the upper end of. the advancing containers, cooperate with the table guide ledges 28 in retaining the containersin their turret pockets, during their advancement.

After. a container marking operationatthe marking station D, the turret diskszl advance a continuously moving conventional belt conveyor 31 (Fig. 1) which carries the containers to any suitable place of deposit.

Marking of a container B with alegend A at the marking station D is effected while the container is in its turret pockets 26 and while the container and the turret are at'rest between in termittent rotation of the turret. This marking operation is performed by a rocker type marking device which is located at the marking station. The marking device is housed in a stationary marker frame 4| (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6.7, 8) which includes a pairof spaced horizontal frame members 42 between which the upper ends of the advancement containers pass during their through the mechanism; The markerframe 4! is secured to an upright bracket 44 which extends up from the main frame 24."

The frame members '42 support a two-piece rocker head 45 (Figs. 6 and 7) comprising a main body 41 and'an end cap 48 which operate as a unit, the cap being fastened by screws to the body. The rocker head 46 is freely mounted on the rocker frame for rocking movement thereon. For this purpose the rocker head body 4'! and its cap 48, adjacent the frame members 42, are formed 'with curved rocker elements or rockers which are dispos'ed in spaced relation and which engage against a pair of similarly spaced, flat rocker rails'52 formed on the frame members(s'ee 'Fig.'11). In order to prevent slipping between the rockers 5| and the rails 52, the head body 41 and its cap 48 carry segment gears, 54 which mesh with gear racks 55 secured tothe fr'amemembers 42 adjacent the rocker rails 52.

Rocking of the rocker head 48 is effected preferably by a carriage 5'! (Figs. 4, 6 and 7) which extends across the rocker frame members 42 above the rocker head. This carriage is formed with side arms 58 which terminate in bearings 59 surrounding trunnionsfil, 62 of the frame members 42. The trunnion 61 is an integral part of its frame member, while trunnion 62 is a separate part secured in place in its frame memher. The longitudinal axes of the trunnions align with each other and with the top rocker surfaces of the rocker rails 52 to effect proper rocking movement of the rocker head 46.

The rocker head 46 is pressed against the frame members under constant pressure by a compression spring 65 (Fig. 7) which is interposed between the head and the carriage 51 One end of the spring 65 is seated in a recess 66 formed in the rocker head while the opposite end is disposed in a threaded bore 67 formed in the carriage. An adjusting'screw 68 disposed in the bore 61 is provided for adjusting the pressure of the spring onthe rocker head.

The upper end of the rocker head 46, opposite its rockers 5|, is provided with a pair of spaced and parallel upright arms 'll (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) which at' their upper ends carry slide blocks 12. These blocks are slideably disposed in upright slideways 13 formed in enlarged portions '14 of the carriage arms 58. The slide blocks 12 and slideways 13 thus provide a loose actuating connection between the rocker head 46 and the carriage 51 and rock the upper end of the head while its rocker frame members. Through this loose connection the rocker head 46 is rocked back and forth on the rocker rails 52 by the carriage 51.

'Rocking movement of the carriage 51 is effected through cam action by a face cam 15 (Figs. 4 and 8) which is mounted on a continuously rotating cam shaft 16 journaled in a bearing "Tl formed on the side of the rocker frame 4|. The shaft is rotated in any suitable manner in time'with the turret shaft 22 so that the cam shaft 16-and thecam 15 mounted thereon makes one revolution every time the turret shaft 22 makes a partial rotation and thereby advances a container through one step. For this purpose the rocker carriage 51 is connected by a link Hi to one arm 19 of a bell crank mounted on a pivot pin 8| secured in the rocker frame 4| (see Fig.5 8). Another arm' 82 of the bell crank carriesa cam roller:83"wh'ich operates in a cam groove 84 of the facecam 15. Thus every time the cam15 makes one revolution, it rocks the bell crank 80 and through the link 18 in turn rocks the carriage?! and the rocker head 46 loosely connected thereto.

In order to effect the marking'of the containers, the rocker head 46' carries a marking drum 8'! (Figs. 7, 9 and 11') which is'provided with a plurality of marking elements or dies 88 spaced around'its periphery. The marking drum 8! is rotatably mounted in the marking head 46; This drum is formed with an axial tapered bore which extends entirely through the drum. At one end, the right as viewed in Fig. 7, the drum is supported by a trunnion 89 having a tapered plug 9!] which is secured in the small end of the tapered bore. The trunnion extends beyond the drum and is journaled in a bearing formed in the marking head. At its opposite end, the left as viewed in Fig.7, the drum is supported'in a sleeve 9| which is secured to the head cap 48. The sleeve surrounds this end of the drum. The bottom of the marking head 46 is open as shown in Fig. 11 to permit a selected marking die 88 to extend beyond the head for marking purposes.

Provision is made to rotate the marking drum 8'! in the marking head'46 to selectively locate a desired marking die 88 in marking position at the bottom'of the marking head. For this purpose, the outer periphery of the marking drum 8?, adjacent the trunnion 89, is formed with gear teeth 93 (Fig. 9) which mesh with a pinion 94 secured to an adjusting shaft 95 carried in a bearing 95 formed in the'marking head. The end of the shaft opposite the pinion 94 is formed with a hollow head 91 adapted to receive a wrench or key or other tool suitable for rotating the adjusting shaft 95. By thus rotating the shaft 95 the pinion rotates the drum into any desired position. Markings or indicia 98 (Fig. 8) on the edge of the marking drum 81 are provided for visibly indicating which marking die is located in marking position. These markings 98 are visible only through an opening 99 (Figsfl, 5 and 8) formed in the head cap 48. The marking showing through this opening is the same as the marking on the die 88 located in marking position at the bottom of the head 46.

After an adjustment of the marking drum 81, it may be locked in such marking position against inadvertent rotation. This locking of the drum preferablyis brought about by a locking pin Illl (Fig. 10) which is engageable in any one of a plura1ity=of=locking holes I02 -(see also Fig. 9) I formedin the marking'drum 81 adjacent the end of the drum which is :mounted :in thesleeve 9 I.

Thelockingpin =IIJI projects through aj-clearancei opening I03 in the-sleeve 9| and extends 'up through a hollow springbarrel I04 threadedly secured in the marking-head 46: A compression spring I05 located in -the barrel-l04 and interposed between the barrel and a collar-I06 formed on the pin,-keeps the-pin in place in the-selected locking hole I02 I and thus holds the marking drum in an adjusted position. The outer end of the pin--IIII extendsbeyon'd the spring barrel I 04 and carries-a knob IO'I for-manually withdrawing the-pin from locking positionto etf'ect an ad-.

justment of the markingdrum.

When'markingarticle's having a paraffin coated surface, suchas the containers B; the -marking- The thermoplasticcoated ribbon-I I I preferably is drawn from-a reel -I I8*(Figs;4 and 5)- which is mounted on-a shortshaft II9 carried in a boss I23-formed onthe-markerframe 4|. The ribbon from thereelextends downwardly over a-pair of idler rollers I22; I23 carried "on studs I24'secured inlugs I21; I28 which extend out from the frame M and one of the frame member 42*respectively (see-also Fig.- 6). Theroller' I23-is-disposed adjacentthe -bottom of the marking-head and thelribbon extends substantially horizontally from this roller, across=and-below the'bottom of the marking head-to -a-third idler roller I3I disposed adjacent the opposite side'of the marking head (shown in Figs, 4 and 6); Thisidlerroller-HI is mounted on astud-I32 secured-ina-lug I33 which extends :from --the adjacent frame-member 42. From the idler roller I3I, the ribbon extends upwardly between a ribbon feeding or pulling roller I35 and a'pressure roller I35 (Figs; 4 and 5) mounted on studs I31 secured inbosses I 38formed ca on the marking frame4 I.

The feeding roller-I 35 is provided'with a ratchet wheel I4I which is engaged by a pawl I42 mounted, on a pivot pin-I43 carried in an upright arm I44- of a bell crank I45. The bell crank is mounted on a pivot stud l iii securedxin alug I41 which extends fromone of thebosses I38 (see Fi 5). The pawl I42 is held under pressure against-the ratchet wheel I4I 'by'a' tension spring I which,

is stretched betweenand engagedin the ends of lugs I49, I50 which extend-outwardly from the pawl and the bell crank-respectively.

An opposite arm I52 of thebell crank, I45 carries at itsouter end' a'button I53 whichis located--- in the path of travel of and norm-ally in engagement with-(asbest show-n in Fig; 8) the head of an'adjustable-screw I54 secured in a -lug;

55 whichprojects out from the markercarriage 57.: A springAEd-(Figs; 4,-5-and 8) having-one end: connected, with; the upright arm I44- of *the bell crank I45 and its opposite endt securedto the frame 41 keeps the buttonvI53 inengagement with the screw I 54 Thus when the carriage; 51: rocks forward through a: marking; stroke; I (toward; the left as viewed in Fig. 8) the screw I54 moves away-from the button I53 and thus permits the-spring I56 to rock. the bell crank I45cin a;.c1ockwise -direction and thus draws the pawl I42 rtoward-the right as viewed in Fig. 8; the pawl -riding overthe teeth of theratchet wheel I4I vand coming to rest in the position shownin Fig. 4. When the carriage?! rocks backx(towardnthe-right"inFig. 4), after a marking operation, the screw; I54 1 engages the button I 53 and rocks the; bell crank I45 in a counterclockwise: direction and thus, Pushes the pawl I41:forwarda(towardsthe-left as viewed in Fists). Thismovementgof-wthe pawl partially rotates the ratchet ,wheel14 l :and :thus pulls the ribbon andadvancesit sufficient to bring an, un:

used portion into position under; the marking die 88.3. The ribbol'lauponuleavingrthe feeding 0211 1111 roller I I ;may zbe tornvoff, or directed to any suitable-place of deposit.-;,

Intheoperation of; theiabove I described marking mechanism, a container B upon being advanced into the markingistation D is :disposed directlyuunder the marking device with the portionof thecontainer, to be markedin substantial vertical alignment with; the selectedunarking dieqflfi: intthe marking head 46 and with the thermoplastic "coated aribbon I I I interposed between: the. markingQdie 188 and-uthe container I as best-shown inrFigrfi; During this advancement of:-! thecontainer-into; marking; position at the station D, the marking head 46 uandaits associated; parts are -in the position shown in Fig; 8

to hold the selected-marking die 88in an elevated position above :thelpath ofwtravel of vthe container sol-as to :clear thercontainerjas the latter advances into the marking station;

While the container :3 is :atrrest at thetmarking station D, thecontinuously rotatingcam I5 rocks, the markingqcarriagep5'l forward, toward thezleftas -viewed-in-Figs;.8 and :11. During this rocking movement, .the rocker'head moves with the carriage, the rocker elements -5I rocking forward on the frameguide rails 52 I and being guided againstslippagexbythe segment gears 54 and'racks 55. As the rocker headJAIi-thusrocks forward, the selectectmarkingzdie 88;by virtue of its position in the rocker head, moves down against the-ribbon I I I and presses the ribbon againstthe top of the container positioned at the-marking station: as bestish'own in Fig. 4. It

is this rockingmovement that imprints the mark Azonto the container.

After the marking operation, as explained above, the: cam 15'rocks:the carriage .51 and its markin head 45; back-through a-return stroke, toward the right in Fig. 4. This return movementof thecarriage and head lifts the marking die ilfi' upwardly away from the container and theribbonand thus is clear of the marked container to permitremoval of the container from the marking station. It is also this return movement that advances the ribbon for asubsequent marking, operation as explained hereinbefore.

This completes theucycle of operation of the marking device. I

It is thought, that the invention and man of its attendant advantages jwilllbejunderstood from theforegoing-description, and it will-be apparent that various changes; may be-made in the form, constructionyand arrangement .of the parts withoutdeparting ,from the-spirit and scope ofthe invention orsacrificing all of 1 its material advantages the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

aconsae.

we claim:

containers and the like with an identifying legend,'the combination of a marker frame, a carriage including spaced side armshaving trunnions' for pivotal connection with said frame, a rocker head in said carriage between said side arms and having a curved rocker element resting on said frame for rocking movement with said carriage, said rocker head also moving in said carriage toward and away from the axis of said trunnions, 'means for maintaining said rocker element in engagement with said frame during its rocking" movement, actuating devices for rocking said carriage and said head through its rocker element on said frame; and a marking instrumentality carried in said head and movable through the rockingaction of said head toward and away from an article held stationary adja-' cent said frame for marking an identifying legend on said article.

2, A mechanism for marking articles such as containers and the like with an identifying legend, the combination of a marker frame, a carriage pivotally connected to said frame in spaced pivots along one side of the carriage, a rocker head in said carriage and having a curved rocker element resting on said frame in between said carriage pivots for rocking movement with said carriage, said rocker head also having independent movement in said carriage, means carried by said carriage at the side opposite said pivots and operable against said rocker head for maintaining said rocker element in engagement with said frame, actuating devices for rocking said carriage to rock said head through its rocker element on said frame, meshing rack and gear elements secured to said frame and said head respectively and disposed alongside'of said curved rocker element for controlling the rocking action between said rocker element and said frame against slippage, and a marking instrumentality carried in said head and movable through the rocking action of said head toward and away from an article held stationary adjacent said frame for marking an identifying legend on said article.

3. A mechanism for marking articles such as containers and the like with an identifying legend, the combination of a marker frame, a carriage pivotally mounted on said frame, a rocker head carried by said carriage and having rocking movement on the frame, meshing rack and gear elements secured to said frame and said head respectively, means interposed between said carriage and said rocker head for maintaining said rack and gear elements in meshing engagement, actuating devices connected with said carriage for moving the carriage thereby rocking said head on said rack and gear elements, and a marking instrumentality carried in said head and movable through the rocking action of said head toward and away from an article held stationary adjacent said frame for marking an identifying legend on said article.

4. A mechanism for marking articles such as containers and the like with an identifying legend, the combination of a marker frame, a carriage having side members pivotally connected to said frame, a rocker head carried within said carriage and confined against lateral displacement by said side members, said rocker head having a curved rocker element resting on said frame for rocking movement on said' frame, means connected between said carriage and said rocker head vfor maintaining saidcurved rocker element in engagement with said frame, actuat-' ingdevices operable on said carriage for rocking the carriage and the rocker head in unison, and a marking instrumentality carried in said head and movable therewith during its rocking movement for marking an identifying legend on an article held stationary in the path of travel of' said marking instrumentality.

5'. A mechanism for marking articles such as containers and the like with an identifying legend, the combination of a stationary marker frame, a pair of spaced rocker rails on said frame, a pair of gear racks on said frame disposed one adjacent each of said rails, a rockable carriage extendingv across said frame and pivotally mounted on said frame on opposite sides thereof adjacent said rocker rails, a rocker head confined within said carriage, said rocker head adjacent said-frame having a pair of curved rocker elements-engaging with said rocker rails and a pair of segment gears meshing with said gear racks, said-rocker head having movement within said carriage in a sliding connection including slide blocks and slideways, pressure means interposed between said carriage and said head for yieldably maintaining said rocker elements in engagement with said rocker rails, actuating devices connecting with said carriage for rocking said carriage and said head through a markin stroke and thence through a return stroke, and amarking instrumentality carried in said head and projecting therefrom between said rails and movable with said head during its rocking movement for marking an identifying legend on an article held stationary in the path of travel of said marking instrumentality.

6. A mechanism for marking articles such as containers and the like with an identifying legend, the combination of a marker frame, a rocker head having longitudinally spaced curved rocker elements resting on said frame for lateral rocking movement thereon, means for maintaining' said rocker elements in engagement with said frame, a rotatable marker drum carried in said head and extending longitudinally of the head, said drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced marking instrumentalities located between the spaced elements of said rocker'head, means'in said head for rotating said drum for selectively locating a marking instrumentality in operative position with the located marking instrumentality projecting beyond said rocker head, means for locking said drum against rotation after an adjustment thereof, and actuating devices for rocking said head on said frame for moving the selectively located marking instrumentality toward and away from an article held stationary adjacent said frame for marking an identifying legend on said article.

7. A mechanism for marking articles such as containers and the like with an identifying legend, the combination of a marker frame, a carriage pivotally mounted on said frame, a rocker head mounted in said carriage and having movement with the carriage, said rocker head having a curved rocker element resting on said frame for rocking movement thereon, means for maintaining said rocker element in engagement with' said frame, a marking instrumentality carried in said head and movable therewith, a heating element also disposed in said head for heating said marking instrumentality, a ribbon carrying a thermoplastic marking material disposed adjacent said marking instrumentality, and

actuating devices for moving said carriage and for rocking said head on said frame for moving said marking instrumentality toward and away from an article held stationary adjacent said frame with the ribbon interposed between the marking instrumentality and the article to transfer some of the thermoplastic material from the ribbon to the article for marking an identifying legend on said article.

8. A mechanism for marking articles such as containers and the like with an identifying legend, the combination of a marker frame, a carriage pivotally mounted on said frame, a rocker head carried by said carriage and having movement therewith, said rocker head having a curved rocker element resting on said frame for rocking movement thereon, means for maintaining said rocker element in engagement with said frame, actuating devices for moving said carriage and for rocking said head through its rocker element on said frame, a marking instrumentality carried in said head and movable through REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 992,461 Vandercook May 16, 1911 1,474,142 Caplinger Nov. 13, 1923 2,369,172 Nordquist Feb. 13, 1945 2,497,798 Root Feb. 14, 1950 

